Tommy T-Bird

I only puked after I ate some of that nasty pasta salad yo' mama made. BTW, we start at 2PM and it runs until Nick yaks, sometime after midnight. If you are in the area, stop out. It is at Pleasant Ridge Park on Route 20 in Fairview, just minutes west of Erie. Food, drink, games, and music by TJ the DJ, my broke-foot son!

What he said!

In the words of the immortal Pepe Notaro, "Tank you for coming!" Had a chance to hang with Scott, Larry and "69"(and his great Pepe story) at the party, as well as share a few moments with Conga (Time to make the donuts!) I hope all of the corps had a great time. We had a ball having you and you ALL did a great show!

I say that every day of my life!

I'm doing Shelly! ^0^

I only cracked because I was playing a true echo.

Sorry dude, but you are in the line, not in front. Cru's drum line does overplay the hornline, at times. That is either a balance problem OR a lack of confidence from the hornline. Either way, I am sure it will be addressed by the staff.

What he said. <**>

OK, not the best seats, but not horrible in that stadium. Not a complete review, just some of my thoughts and observations. If you want my creds, read my sig. DCA CorpsVets: Nice hornline! I appreciate playing in tune, and you did. A few holes in the drill, which affected some forms. Good job by the soloists. They have some work to do to tighten up that show, but I thought the score was about right. I had them around 75. Should be right in the thick of it by DCA Cabs: After reading all the hype, I was very excited to see them. Sorry gang, I was left disappointed. Hornline has a very nice sound, playing a difficult book. Drill is a big problem. Lots of velocity is great, but only if you execute. Very sloppy at times, and not very confident. I hope you can pull it together before Scranton, because the show has all of the ingredients to be a winner. Bucs: Wow, do these guys look young! From what I have read on The Planet, they have improved leaps and bounds. There is some struggling in the soprano book, as I only counted 14, but a nice overall brass sound.Lots of individual errors that could have put them over the top, mostly in body/horn angles,IMHO. The guard prop/holder thingies are a huge distraction. From the time they set them up, stringing a rope across the field, to the couple of times that they move them, they were pulling my attention away from the corps. Nice job overall. Brigs: Look somewhat smaller than in years past (horns). First 2/3 of the show were pretty good, but drill and music in the closer were kind of hesitant. The show didn't WOW me as in the past. Nice solo work in the ballad. The show kind of left me hanging. I am sure that there will be some work and changes by DCA's. Overall, I thought that there was a lot left to be desired, for this point in the season. Didn't get the chill I expected. DCI Capitol Reg: Sorry, nature called, so I missed this show. Only heard bits of it, and the brass sounds nice. Cascades: Very impressed! Super hornline, lots of movement and a fine drumline. I was expecting much less and was very surprised! Now for the downer. The moving tympani is very distracting. There was a big rip when the tymp player was in the back right corner. I appreciate that you are trying something different, but to me, it wasn't worth it. Bring him closer, move him once, and get on with the show. Crossmen: I enjoyed this show. Espescially liked the opener. Nice job! Madison: Strong opener, nap time middle, strong closer. I don't like this trend (started by the Cadets, I think) of a showcase tune, with the drumline standing on the back sideline. Also, the trademark pinwheel was awful. I was disappointed, overall. SCV: Let me start by saying, I am NOT a huge SCV fan. A few years, here and there, but overall, I am a BD/Scouts fan. That being said........... HOLY CRAP!!!!! These guys hit it at the start and do NOT stop! Hornline had the most sonority of the evening. What a great top to bottom sound! And, the movement and velocity of the drill is amazing. Drumline was dirty at times, but will hopefully clean up a couple of spots.(This coming from a brass guy!) Based on this show, the wife and I both thought SCV was the clear winner. BD: My boys, the reason for the 5 1/2 hour drive. The show is kind of cool, with the train effects and all that. I liked the drumline marching around the 50 in a wedge for a bit. A little "throwback moment". Brass is excellent, as usual. Some of the runs these kids play are just awesome. Drill was nowhere near SCV, and that is not something I usually pay a lot of attention to. The show just didn't WOW me like I expected. USMC: What can I say that hasn't already been said? The best of the best, the cream of the crop! I listened to the "Esprit" CD on the way home, because I wanted more, more, more!!!! Excellent job by these fine young men and (4) women! Final thoughts: August 17 is gonna be one for the ages! Based on what I saw last night, and what I have been told about Cavies and PR, it is gonna be a dogfight! I think it will come down to whomever really "pops" a show, because these corps are really close. Congrats to all the corps who entertained tonight, and to 5 Star Brass for an outstanding evening of family fun!!!

Ya, from where I was sitting I called Fran a dummy when he was stumbling over words trying to fill a gap between corps. I even threatened to come up to the box for a little smackdown, but the only people that heard were in the crowd around me. Lucky for you, Haring! ;oD